Saturday, March 09, 2013

Society Saturday - The Town Crier

While visiting family in Ohio, it happened to be the same weekend as a meeting of my old DAR chapter. I first joined the Fort Industry chapter, NSDAR in 1980. I still maintain my associate membership with them, and receive their monthly newsletters.

My mother and I attended their chapter meeting and had a nice time. The program was given by Michael Lieber, the official town crier for Sylvania, OH.

He began with a proclamation about DAR, and a little of the history of northwest Ohio. Then he talked about how he became interested in being a town crier, a little about the competitions he has been in, and some of his other appearances.

Some of the interesting facts about town criers are:
1. They date from the time of the Norman conquest
2. It was illegal to harm the town crier if you didn't like what they had to say
In other words, "don't shoot the messenger"
3. Early town criers were often tried military officers who could read and write.
4. An official town crier can speak in place of a mayor for events such as proclamations and parades.

About Me

I first started doing genealogy as a senior in High School - many years before the internet. I spent many hours in cemeteries, courthouses and libraries. I still enjoy traveling to those locations, but I also enjoy using the internet and its ever expanding resources for my research.
I joined the DAR over 30 years ago. I had to put my genealogy on hold for school and family, but I've been involved again for the past 15 years. Since then, I have discovered that I enjoy my memberships in the DAR as well as other lineage groups. Each group has its own "flavor". I thoroughly enjoy the friendships I've made through membership in these groups.
I spend my "free time" (that is, when I'm not working at my "real job") working on my lineage, and helping others with their lineage.